rasp 1 of 2

Definition of raspnext
as in scratch
a harsh grating sound the rusted lock opened with a rasp

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rasp

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction after sawing the board in half, rasp the ends to remove any splinters

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2
as in to scratch
to pass roughly and noisily over or against a surface the sound of fingernails rasping on the blackboard makes me cringe

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3
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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rasp
Noun
Kirbi, that rasp is so beautiful at the top of your register. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025 Her strong, confident country voice shone through immediately in her performance of this Judds song, with just enough rasp to really give it some edge. Andy Swift, TVLine, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
Cody Gapko struck the post three times — once with a deflected cross, twice with rasping drives — while Senne Lammens saved Alexander Isak’s shot with an outstretched right foot. Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 For a short time, the line rasped, smoking, through the chocks. Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rasp
Noun
  • Forwards Philipp Kurashev and Pavol Regenda, and defenseman Nick Leddy, were the Sharks’ other healthy scratches.
    Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • After all, orchestrating pre-arranged scores is far easier than composing original music from scratch.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Gently rub away any remaining margarine with a paper towel.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Start by cutting off any branches that are diseased, dead, or broken, as well as those that are crossing and rubbing against each other.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Max Scherzer looks sharp, feels fresh Max Scherzer scraped his cleats on the back of the Minnesota Twins’ spring mound before stepping in for his first pitch on Friday.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Then, this past June, her extended family managed to scrape together enough money to get her to Ismail's village to go to the hospital.
    Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Asked if that would annoy and possibly anger Texas Republicans who backed Paxton, Minchillo said.
    Jack Fink, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Still, the loss of 4K support will no doubt annoy streamers.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Richins, wearing a white blouse with pale blue and peach-colored flowers on it, looked down and began breathing heavily when the verdict was announced.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Police and David’s family say that David, a sophomore at Sequoia High in Redwood City, had no gang ties and was wearing the jacket to celebrate Valentine’s Day with his girlfriend, who wore a pink hoodie that night.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In the opening moments, Loznitsa, working with the Romanian cinematographer Oleg Mutu, plants the camera before the prison gates, which open with a loud creak, allowing a fresh batch of emaciated arrivals to shuffle into a work yard.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The project does not appear to have been filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation as of Thursday, but an affiliated project's TDLR filings offer more insights into the site development plans.
    Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, seeks reinstatement and a court declaration that the terminations were unlawful.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And also, Bill has to be home and also not bugging me.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Clara could hear Dune’s sister, Fern, in the background bugging Dune to resume their chess game.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rasp. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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